1000 Islands On The New York Side
So Tuesday we left for our summer adventure into Canada and Newfoundland. We left our home and headed for Montreal, Canada to meet up with other couples that we are traveling with.
We’ve been to Canada before. Several times actually. But this will be the furthest east and north we will have traveled.
Last US Exit Sign Before Crossing Over Into Canada
Border Crossing At The 1000 Islands, Wellesley Island, NY/Canada Border
The border crossing on Wellesley Island, in the 1000 Islands, in New York is usually not that busy. And when we got their around 10:30 am it wasn’t busy at all. Just a couple cars in front of us. We passed through without issue. Just a couple of questions and we were on our way.
We were officially in Canada, but still on Wellesley Island, which turns into Hill Island on the Canadian side. I find it strange that the border crossing is actually on the island. Oh well. Maybe that’s just me.
Ontario, Canada Sign Once Through The Border Crossing
David Driving Across The Other Bridge Of Wellesley Island, Towards The Mainland To Canada
The Sign Heading Towards Montreal, Canada
Once we were on the mainland again, we immediately saw the sign pointing us towards Montreal. So off we went.
Traffic In Montreal
Tunnel That Goes Under The St. Lawrence River
Tunnel Under The St. Lawrence River
Once in Montreal, let’s just say things got very interesting. Two down sides we can see so far… The traffic is horrible and there is no by-pass highway! Their is so much construction going on that traffic gets backed up very quickly.
And did I mention everything is in French? Well, technically, by law, they are supposed to have English and French signs. However, Montreal is so dead set against using English. They actually want to, and from what I hear are trying to, succeed from Canada. So they refuse to use English.
Let me say one thing about that. It makes for a very interesting ride when you see all sorts of construction signs, detour signs and what have you, and you don’t understand one lick of it. We basically pick out our route number on the construction/detour sign, cross our fingers and follow the number. That is all we can do. I guess as time goes on we will pick up some French here or there.
And for those of you who say, just use the app on your phone that translates French into English. Well….their’s a little snag with that thought. You see, our phones don’t have data on them in Canada. And that app needs data in order to work. Hence, no translations. Good news is we are traveling with five other couples and two of those couples speech French. So that does help a little. But only when you are together.
Our campground that we are at right now, Camping Aloutte, is just 15 minutes outside of Montreal near Beloeil. So we are in close proximity to all sorts of sight seeing. More on that later.
After we all met each other, as some of us only knew some others and not everyone, we planned dinner. David and I along with two other couples set off for a French Crepery restaurant. I know, I know, more French. But it really is everywhere. And you know what they say… When in Rome… I mean Montreal.
La Creperie du Vieux Beloeil, Near Montreal In Beloeil
The Back Side Of La Creperie du Vieux Beloeil, Near Montreal In Beloeil
Once seated, we all started laughing because, of course, all the menus were in French. So we figured out some basics and the waitress was nice enough to confirm what we were ordering.
Chef Making The Crepes
Chef Making The Crepes
David and I shared a tomato, sausage and cheese crepe for dinner. Then for dessert we shared a banana, pecan, caramel, ice cream and rum crepe that was flambeed. Sorry to say, the picture of that did not work out. Oh well. It was really yummy. And the ice cream was a surprise because we did not know what that French word was on the menu.
C’est la vie! (I guess I do know a little French)
Chef Making The Crepes
So our first day was filled with some interesting driving while trying to decipher the French signs, meeting up with friends and meeting new friends, a nice French crepe dinner, yummy dessert and a cool breeze, leave your windows open, good sleeping weather kind of night.
Not bad if I do say so myself. Oh wait…I just did.
Oh what fun it is to “travel” with you again! Aren’t the 1,000 Islands just beautiful? It is amazing that folks will put a cottage on even the tiny ones!
We had to cross into Canada to get air in our tires before heading home…when we came back the Customs Agent said “Are you bringing anything back with you?” it was pretty funny to answer “Air”. The raised eyebrows of the agent went down with our chuckling explanation.
I suspect the reason you sailed right through customs was because you remembered to bring your Hoho’s, just as I taught you.
I love you guys…
Hugs….
Bring your ho ho”s?